Survivors/In Memory

Alma Alfred

At 48, counting down to my “Big 50th” birthday, my daughter was getting ready to complete her degree at University of Houston and she would soon be on her own. Things were going well and I was enjoying life. I had neck surgery in 2004 and was out for a while. I had foot surgery in 2005. I didn’t get a chance to take a vacation for those 2 years and said to myself that I was not going to have another year of surgery/recovery. I was going to take a seven day vacation to a Caribbean Island.

I had what I thought was a cyst and went for my routine every 6 month Mammogram and Ultra-sound (that I had been doing for the last couple of years) and was told it was a cyst, to keep a watch to see if it changed and come back in another 6 months. I waited another 6 months, went thru the routine again and was told the same thing….it was a cyst, but the size had increased. I did not have a good feeling about the last two diagnoses so I decided not to go to that facility for my next test and to go to MD Anderson (for the first time) to have my Mammogram and Ultra-sound done. I was told about 10 minutes after these test were done that I had a 50-50 chance that I had cancer. I had never been told that there was any percentage of having breast cancer, so that there was a percentage was shocking.

The doctor who read my reports asked if I had a doctor at MD Anderson and I quickly said No….that I never had a reason to have one. He went on to say that there was a 50% chance that it was not cancer but of course I was focusing on the 50% chance that it was cancer. He ased me if he was able to get me an appointment with a doctor in Cancer Prevention Department would I talk to a doctor there. He did and I did. After looking at my test results and what the doctor had written up, she examined me and said that she thought the tumor was larger then he noted and wanted to go speak to him. She came back and said that my percentage was actually approximately 70-30%…..which was another brick wall. She said that we had to wait until we got reports back from the biopsy to confirm that it was 100%. I knew then that it was 100%.

“I had gone to my appointment alone because I was thinking it was a routine mammogram/ ultrasound.”

I was diagnosed with Stage II Lobular Breast Cancer. I was set up with an EXCELLENT team of doctors at MD Anderson. I was scheduled to do 6 months of Chemo to see if the tumor would shrink then do 6 weeks of Radiation. After a month of chemo, my team of doctors and I decided to do surgery then start back on the chemo treatments. During surgery they found out that the cancer had spread into my lymph nodes so several were removed and because it had spread into the lymph nodes it was determined that I was now in “Stage III Advanced Cancer”. Chemo and Radiation was a “BATTLE” but I made it through with a lot of prayers. I just had to focus on one treatment at a time to get through them all.

“I was very upset, but finally decided that I would trust God that I would have the strength to get my treatments behind me one by one. My Catholic faith was strengthened by my cancer experience. It’s easy to accept God’s will when life/everything is going good but being diagnosed with cancer made me closer to my faith and this “Seasonal” phase of my life.

With God, my family, friends and co-workers and MD Anderson Staff, I have been able to make it thru that “Season” of my life!

I have completed all of my treatments and undergone several surgeries with a possible one more to go. I am currently doing physical therapy for the Lymphadema.

MD Anderson and my team of doctors, therapist, and the patient affairs office have been truly OUTSTANDING!

Many THANKS to DIVAS For A Cure for their AMAZING contributions to make myself and other cancer patients care at MD Anderson gratifying and successful!!

Gladys Jefferson
Being a nurse of 33 years, you would think that I would have noticed the signs that there was a lump, some tenderness and would have had it checked sooner. But after spending those years lifting so many patients in the hospital, I injured my back resulting in my early retirement. It was the prescribed pain medication I was taking that prevented me from feeling any discomfort in my left breast.

So on a warm summer Monday in 1998 while lying across my bed, my granddaughter jumped on the bed accidentally elbowing me in the chest. I remember still the sharp pain but that it would subside. It didn’t. An hour or so later I went to the bathroom to check myself. I did a self-exam, then the pinch… and there it was, the dimple. My heart skipped a beat. I immediately went to the phone, called my daughter in Detroit to tell her my suspicion. She calmly told me to just call my doctor and stop trying to self diagnose my condition. So I did. My appointment was on a Tuesday; my results came back on Wednesday; on Friday I went under the knife with a complete mastectomy.

I remember that week trying to recall if any of the women in my immediate family had breast cancer… not one. I was the first (and prayerfully the only one). With no cancer cells in my right breast, I was able to keep it. Due to my age, and the loving support of my husband, Arthur, I chose to not have reconstructive surgery. I had experienced enough after the radiation and chemotherapy. I simply wanted to live a longer life with my family.

I have to share that during such a traumatic time, nothing is more helpful that a family that is there for you. My oldest granddaughter at the age of 22 did the unthinkable to demonstrate her love for me. The day before my appointment to cut my hair short before it would come out due to chemo, she spent two hours in the bathroom, coming out totally bald! Her reason? She said simply, “Grandma, since our heads are shaped alike, I wanted to show you how gorgeous you are going to look with no hair, just like me!” Now THAT is love.

In 2006, my daughter, Aj (Jemison) Coffee, decided to ride her motorcycle to Florida with Divas For A Cure to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. In 2007 she rode the entire ride with a stop here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is committed to riding each year, and I couldn’t be more proud. I am thankful for all of the people and sponsors that donate to Divas For A Cure. This is a worthy cause, educating on the importance of early detection and providing funds toward research. God bless you all.

Jean Segers
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2000 after a routine mammogram. I underwent surgery including reconstruction in April. I consider myself quite fortunate in that my cancer was in situ, which means it had not spread. Therefore I did not require any radiation or chemotherapy. I believe if it had not been for cancer research, with the development of the mammogram as well as other life saving devices, I may not have been so fortunate. My husband was my rock throughout the entire process and my family and many friends could not have been more supportive. I continue to do whatever I can to support the find for a cure; including buying breast cancer stamps, doing the Ultimate Drive with BMW, supporting Divas for a Cure, etc.

Sandra Jackson-aka-Sesamestreet
AND THEN THE LETTER CAME

I was really excited with the idea of attempting to ride across the country for breast cancer awareness with Divas For A Cure. I started checking out my trike, (Harley Davidson-Ultra Classic) on what new things I could get for her, purchasing pink shirts and even a pink sun visor with pink shoes then the word came.

I have been diagnosed with breast cancer twice and lung cancer once. For those of you that have been through any form of cancer or any life changing diagnosis, you know the feeling of what a serious diagnosis means.

A few weeks before I met with my oncologist, I knew something was wrong, because I felt a lump under my arm. “Your recent mammography examination showed a finding that requires additional imaging studies for a complete evaluation. Most such findings are benign (not cancer).”

This quote from a recent letter I received regarding my mammogram changed my attempt to ride. Although the quote does not state that I have a recurrence just the idea of “requires additional imaging studies” out weights any future planning for the trip right now.

It saddens me, that I have to drop out of the ride, but I am not dropping out of celebrating with the Divas. When I spoke with Sunny on Sunday (June 4) she knew how hurt I was that I will not be riding with her. It was a spiritual meeting for the both of us when we met. Obstacles that kept us from meeting early on have now strengthened our new found friendship.

I will be with my “sisters” and “brothers” in spirit and will be holding down the home front. I am also going to try to ride at least to Phoenix, AZ, if all of the “imaging studies” are done by the time everyone leaves. Life is good and if the “imaging studies” proves to be a recurrence it will be round four of a major fight. I’ll do what I gotta do.

Janet Downes
Passed away on March 8, 2007.

Her Story...
My name is Janet Downes and I’m a 7 year breast cancer fighter. I don’t call myself a survivor anymore as I’ve been truly battling this disease. We’ve gone many rounds in this fight but I refuse to give up or let it beat me. It may win eventually but I’m going to go down swinging hard and leave my own bruises on it. Read More...